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,V t.. iE i i l l <br />HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING ' MASS. <br />October 11, 2001 <br />Reading Police Station Community Room 4- <br />7:30 p.m. <br />Present: Terri Jones, Paul Kelley, Phil Maher, Emily Maughan, Carol Roberts, Bob Silva, Sumi <br />Sinnatamby, Margaret Soli, Edward Toland. Guests: Ron Boucher for PFLAG, Reading; Martha <br />Moore, Reading Memorial High School faculty member; Linda Snow Dockser, Reading resident and <br />liaison for Pillars of Character at Killam; Charlie McDonald, Bullying Prevention Program; and George <br />Hines, Selectman. <br />1. Meeting called to order by Margaret S. <br />2. ADL and the Ma. Municipal Asso. will talk to committee about hate-free communities if invited. <br />Barnes & Noble has booklet available for free entitled "101 Ways to Combat Prejudice." <br />3. Charlie MacDonald made presentation on the Bullying Project. Video will be shown on Channels 5 <br />and 9 the last week in November. Committee voted to co-sponsor the videos with DASC (Diversity <br />Awareness Steering Committee) in the credits. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation is producing <br />a Violence Prevention Kit. 12 kits will be available by the end of October. <br />4. Ron Boucher gave presentation on the Reading Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of <br />Lesbians and Gays). PFLAG meets the 2°d Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Old South <br />Church. Emphasized the importance and need for support for gay and lesbian individuals, that <br />PFLAG is a resource for people, has a website. Focus on educating people, advocating for change in <br />laws and attitudes. Stated that 1 in 4 families is affected in some way by homosexuality; fear and <br />heterosexism is prevalent. Distributed flyer on PFLAG (attached) and booklet "Answers to Questions <br />About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality" published by the American Psychological Asso. <br />(attached). <br />5. Martha Moore spoke about her involvement with the Safe Schools State Program and the RMHS <br />Gay/Straight Alliance. Alliance puts on a week of tolerance activities, speakers, coffeehouses, etc. <br />RMHS faculty has Professional Development training in diversity. <br />6. Several committee members and guests respectfully disagreed with comments from Phil M. at the last <br />meeting and quoted in the Reading Chronicle. Stressed the importance of using non-violent not <br />abusive language, treating everyone with respect and tolerance. Must educate to change attitudes. <br />Committee not promoting any issue, promoting right for individuals to live without fear or <br />harassment. Discussion took place. <br />7. Other: October 29"' in Reading Public Library at 7:30 p.m. "Understanding Islam" speaker from the <br />Islamic Center of Burlington. Organized by DASC. Parker Middle School is looking for people who <br />speak Greek, Korean, Polish, or Portuguese to help newcomers learn about American life, language, <br />etc. Also wanted are volunteers to meet and talk with those people trying to learn English. <br />Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Next meeting November 8"' at 7:30 p.m. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Emily Maughan, Secretary <br />